WHAT'S IN THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW DROUGHT PLAN?
* Small business drought loans up to $500,000 for for wages, equipment and to refinance.
* Farm drought loans which are interest free for the first two years, before being an interest only payment from years three to five. Repayments from years six to 10 are interest and principal.
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* $10 million for schools in drought-ravaged areas to help with financial hardship.
* $5 million towards child care centres struggling because families are unable to afford child care.
* Expanded drought communities program, adding six more council areas, providing $122 million for local infrastructure and other drought-relief activities.
*New $50 million discretionary fund to support additional councils when needed.
* Redirecting $200 million from the Building Better Regions Fund to create a special drought round providing up to $10 million per project.
* Roads to Recovery supplementary payment for 128 local government areas in drought (up to $138.9 million) for upgrades and maintenance of roads ready to roll out.
* Releasing 100 gigalitres down the Murray River by April 31, to grow up to 120,000 tonnes of fodder as well as silage and pasture.
* The federal government will help South Australia turn on a desalination plant in return, and hand the state $10 million for drought measures.
Australian Associated Press
